Briefly

Nancy Day, a member of Tulsa-Boston Avenue UMC, recently was honored for her 32 years of excellent work as executive director of the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice. She will retire at the end of the year.

The recognition is well deserved, said Twila Gibbens, who is ecumenical officer for the Oklahoma Conference Mission & Service Ministry Team.

Under Day’s leadership, the center has become a national leader in human relations and interfaith work.

"I can think of no more urgent mission than that of helping people learn to live together with their deepest differences," Day said.

Deadlines for annual awards

Several Conference groups announced their award deadlines in early 2014.

• Nominations for the Frances Willard Award are being accepted through Jan. 1. Sponsored by the Commission on the Status & Role of Women, this honors a person who makes a distinguished contribution to the advancement of women in ministry in the Oklahoma Conference. To nominate someone, send a letter of commendation, 100 words or less, to: Cheryl Newton, pastor@fumcnowata.net,  First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 129, Nowata OK 74048.
• Jan. 15 is deadline to submit completed applications that nominate a clergy member or layperson for the Harry Denman Evangelism Award.

The form and instructions are at: http://www.okumc.org/denmanaward.

Submit the form to Janelle Brammer, First United Methodist Church, 1615 N. Highway 88, Claremore OK 74017; 918-341-4580 (fax); or jbrammer@claremorefumc.org.

4 groups get grants

Grants awarded in the month of Thanksgiving counted among the blessings for four UM-related organizations.

The Inasmuch Foundation granted:

• $1 million to Oklahoma City University, to help its law school move downtown;
• $250,000 to a capital campaign for Neighborhood Services Organization in Oklahoma City;
• $150,000 to TEEM, The Education and Employment Ministry, in Oklahoma City; and
• $12,000 to Family Promise of Lawton, a shelter program, for case management. United Methodists in that city founded the nonprofit and continue to give key support.